Deferred action battery



Dec. 2Q, 1949 n. c. BLAKE Erm..

DEFERRED ACTION BATTERY Filed June 20, 1945 IN VEN T0125 o j ffm/@ L @N n, WN, WN

Patented Dec. 2D, 1949 DEFERRED ACTION BATTERY Ivan C. Blake, Lawrence H. Harriss, and John B.

Mullen, Elgin, Ill., assignors to Burgess Battery Company, Freeport, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application June 20, 1945, Serial No. 600,454

2 Claims.

This invention relates to primary batteries and particularly to primary batteries of the deferred action type. It relates especially to a deferred action battery which is adapted to be activated by being immersed in water. The battery oi the invention is intended especially for use in operating an emergency signal at sea. The signal may be a light to indicate the presence of a person who has become stranded by shipwreck or other cause. It may also be an electronic apparatus iloating on the water and emitting a signal which can be detected at a distant point. The battery of the invention is adapted to energize the signal and to be activated by immersion in water, which may be the fresh water of an inland lake or river or the salt water of the ocean.

It is the primary purpose of the invention to provide a battery which is capable of producing a signal of the character mentioned and is adapted to be rendered operative by being immersed in plain water, salt water, or an aqueous x electrolyte solution.

It is another object of the invention to provide a battery of the character described which may be immersed continuously in water without suffering any ill effects from the immersion.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a battery of the character described which is capable of delivering a high output of electric energy. If the signal is a light it is desirable that it be as bright as possible. With an electronic signal apparatus, the battery energizes both the filament and anode circuits of the electron tubes, and considerable energy is required. A

yIt is a further object of the invention to provide a battery of the character described which may stand idle for a long period of time before being used without suffering any substantial deterioration.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the following description progresses, which is to be taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan View of the battery of the invention; and

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along lineT-Z of Fig. 1.

The battery of the invention comprises a plurality of electrically connected cells -consisting ci' a series of juxtaposed elements. The particular `battery illustrated and described is in the form of a stack of superimposed disc-shaped elements, each having a central opening whereby (Cl. 13G-114) 2 it is annular in shape. The openings are arranged to coincide with each other, and a tubular member passes through them and is arranged to hold the elements together under pressure contact with each other.

The rst element, starting at the top as the battery is shown in the drawing, is the relatively thin anode I0, which is composed of magnesium. The second element is a thin sheet Il of bibulous electrically non-conductive material, such as porous blotting paper. The next element is a pre-compressed mass I2 of depolarizing material, which may becomposed of iinely divided manganese dioxide, carbon and an electrolyte compound, held together in the form of a rm unitary body by a binder. `The manganese dioxide may be in any of the forms commonly used as a depolarizer, such as natural manganese dioxide ore or an articial manganese dioxide produced by a chemical or'electrolytic process. The nely divided carbon imparts electrical conductivity to the mass, and may be composed of powdered graphite or carbon black. The electrolyte compound may be any suitable compound, but is preferably one which is substantially neutral. Sodium chloride has been found to be satisfactory, and is preferred, although other compounds such as ammonium chloride, potasslum chloride, barium chloride, mangesium sulfate and the like, may also be used. If the battery is to be activated byimrnersing in sea water or other aqueous solution of lelectrolyte compound, the electrolyte compound may be omitted from the body l2.

The binder maybe of any suitable composition, v

the synthetic resins being satisfactory for the purpose, such as polyvinyl acetate, the copolymer of vinyl acetate and vinyl chloride, ethyl cellu lose, cellulose acetate, polyvinyl alcohol or the like. Polyvinyl alcohol is preferably incorporated in the form of an emulsion with water. The others mentioned are incorporated in solution in a suitable solvent, such as acetone, toluene, Cellosolve, dioxane, ethyl alcohol, or the like, depending upon the particular binder which is used. A hydrophilic solvent is preferred, but a hydrophobic solvent may also be used. For a polyvinyl acetate binder, a suitable hydrophilic solvent is acetone and a suitable hydrophobic solvent is toluene. 'I'he amount of binder which is employed is insuicient to ll the voids be tween the particles of the composition for a reason which will be given hereinafter.

A fllamentary material, such as hair or cotton linters, may be incorporated in the mass as a re- 3 enforcing agent to increase the strength of the body I2. The following is an example of o. suitable composition for the depolarizing body:

In the above composition, the only purpose of the water is to promote uniform mixing of the composition and facilitate pressing it into the desired form, and only sufficient is used to perform such function.

In making the body I2, the moist composition is first thoroughly mixed, and then is divided into portions each of which is sufficient to form one of the bodies. Each portion is placed in a mold and molded under heavy pressure into the form` desired. A pressure of approximately 3 tons per square inch is satisfactory, and it is preferably applied slowly, and for this purpose a screw press is preferred, although a hydraulic press or punch press may be employed if desired. During molding, water is squeezed out of the mass, and, if desired, a sheet of absorbent paper may be inserted against each of the broad mold surfaces to absorb the water. After the molding operation, the body is removed from the mold and allowed to dry. It is preferably heated at a moderate temperature, for example 120 C., to evaporate the moisture and solvent and render it substantially dry. It may be stored indefinite- 1y before use without imp-airing its suitability. The molded body is strong and rigid and is resistant to erosion or other attack by water and aqueous electrolyte solutions and may be immersed in such liquids for an indefinite period of time without disintegration or other impairment. The particles thereof are joined together primarily at their contacting surfaces and the voids between them are not filled by the binder. As a result, the body is porous and capable of readily absorbing the aqueous activating solution or electrolyte upon being brought in contact therewith.

As stated heretofore, the sodium chloride may be omitted from the composition in cases where the battery, in use, will be immersed in sea water or another aqueous solution containing an electrolyte compound satisfactory for activating purposes. Sea water is a solution containing approximately 2.6% of its weight of sodium chloride and an aqueous activating solution having a concentration approximately equivalent to or greater than the sodium chloride content of sea water is preferred.

The next element of the battery is the carbon cathode I3, which is a molded body of y finely divided carbon or graphite and a suitable adhesive, such as rosin or pitch, similar in structure and composition to the carbon electrodes commonly employed in dry cells. The cathode is also resistant to disintegration or other impairment upon immersion in water or an aqueous electrolyte solution.

Proceeding downwardly from the first carbon cathode I3, elements similar to those described heretofore are arranged in reverse order until the next anode I is reached, the elements of similar composition being designated by the same numerals and being, in succession, the depolarizing body I2. the bibulous layer II and the anode Il. Proceeding downwardly from the second anode Il, the arrangement which has been described is duplicated. As a result, the two anodes at the ends of the battery each serve a single cell, while the remaining anodes and cathodes each serve as anode and cathode for two adjacent cells.

Annular discs I4 and I5 of a stiff electrically non-conductive material, such as phenol formaldehyde resin or the like, are arranged adjacent to the anodes I0 at the ends of the battery. As stated heretofore, the central openings of the elements coincide whereby a central space I6 is provided extending through the battery from one end to the other. The elements are held in juxtaposed relation and pressure contact with each other by means of an elongated tube I1 of rigid material such as metal which extends through the opening I6. The end portions of the tube I'I are externally threaded and nuts I8 and I9 are screwed upon said ends and into firm pressure engagement with end discs I4 and I5. The arrangement is such that the ends of the nuts bear with substantial pressure against the end discs, whereby the assembly of battery elements is held together in fixed position under firm pressure contact. The opening I6 through the assembled elements is larger than the tube II in cross section to form an electrical clearance space'between the tube and the battery elements. A thin layer of paint, varnish, or a synthetic resin, such as phenol formaldehyde resin, may be applied to the exterior surf-ace of tube I1 to provide further electrical insulation between the tube and the battery elements, or the tube I1 may be surroundedby a. second tube of electrically non-oonductive material, if that is desired, such tube being located in space I6.

Terminal members 2| are embedded in the edge portions of the cathodes I3 and project therefrom as shown. The cathodes I3 are connected to each other by a conductor 22. This may be accomplished by twisting the end of each terminal 2i about the conductor 22 and soldering the two together. Between the terminals 2I, the conductor 22 is covered with a suitable electrical insulating material 23, such as rubber. At the opposite side of the battery, the anodes I0 are locally extended beyond the edges of the remaining elements of the battery as shown, and the projecting portions have openings therein through which a second conductor 24 passes. The conductor 24 is suitably connected to the anodes I0 by solder or other means, and the portions thereof between the anodes II) are covered by a. suitable insulating material 25. The conductors 22 and 24 connect the cells of the battery together in parallel, and serve as terminals of the battery and are adapted to be connected to the terminals of the signal or other apparatus (not shown) which is to be energized.

As stated heretofore, the battery may be stored indefinitely without suffering any substantial impairment of its energy delivering properties, and when it is to be placed in operation, it is immersed in water or an aqueous solution containing a suitable electrolyte compound distory activation.

solved therein. The specific battery which has been described heretofore may be immersed in plain water, and the latter will provide satisfac- Batteries immersed in plain water have operated satisfactorily for hours. The depolarizing bodies I2 are liquid absorbent, and the liquid is absorbed readily into them whereby they become thoroughly moistened. The bibulous layers Il are also liquid absorbent and absorb liquid and become moistened when their edges are exposed as shown. It is not essential, however, that the edges of the bibulous layers Il be exposed, because the liquid which is absorbed by the depolarizing bodies I2 will pass to the bibulous layers II and be absorbed by them. For satisfactory liquid absorption, it is only necessary that a portion of the surface of either the bibulous layer Il or depolarizing body l2 between the cathode and anode of each cell be exposed to the activating liquid upon immersion therein.

Means which are not shown may be provided which are adapted to cooperate with a part or parts of the battery, as for example, the central tube Il, to support the battery in the desired submerged position. The tube l1 may also be used to support an antennae for an electronic signal apparatus. The battery may be immersed continuously for an indenite period of time without suffering disintegration of any of the parts or impairment other than that due to normal exhaustion, or, if it is on open circuit, to a moderate local action at the anodes.

The battery of the invention delivers a voltage per cell on open circuit somewhat in excess of 2 volts. When a battery of parallel connected cells is used to energize an electronic signal apparatus, an interrupter and a transformer may be employed to obtain the higher voltage required in the anode circuit. A battery of the character specifically described and illustrated comprising 12 cells connected in parallel and having a length of approximately 6 inches and a diameter of approximately 5 inches, upon immersion in ordinary tap water, is capable of delivering approximately 3 amperes continuously for more than 40 hours at a voltage above an end point of 1.2 volts.

While a single modification of the invention is specifically described, this is for illustrative purposes and the invention is not limited thereto, but modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention as the same is set forth in the appended claims.

For example, the cells may be connected in series instead of in parallel, in which case the cell elements are arranged in the well known manner in which the anode of one cell is in contact with the cathode of the adjacent cell, and the terminals of the battery are connected respectively to the anode of one end cell and to the cathode of the other end cell. In use. such a battery of series connected cells should be immersed in the activating liquid only long enough for proper moistening, which may require from one to ten minutes, after which it should be removed from the liquid when it will be in operative condition. The battery may also consist of a single cell instead of a. plurality of cells.

In the construction shown, a spring member may be inserted between nut I9 and disc I5 to assist in maintaining the assembly under steady pressure throughout the life of the battery. Also. means other than that shown may be used for maintaining the cells in assembled relation. For example, the ends of tube i1, instead of carrying nuts as shown, may be turned outwardly to form flanges which bear with pressure against the ends of the assembly of elements. As an alternative,

'a container may be employed which encloses the exterior of the battery, such container being provided with suitable openings for the introduction of liquid upon immersion of the battery. Also, while the battery is especially adapted for immersion, it may be activated by the simple introduction of a quantity of activating liquid, in which case a closed container may be employed having an opening at the top for the introduction of the activating liquid, or a capsule of activating liquid may be provided which is adapted to be ruptured when it is desired to place the battery in use. Such alternative means for activating a deferred action battery are well known.

What is claimed is:

l. A multiple cell deferred action battery adapted for immersion in a body of activating liquid, comprising a pluralityof electrically connected juxtaposed cells, said cells each comprising a plurality of juxtaposed iiat elements comprising in succession an anode, a bibulous non-conductive layer, a rigid, liquid-absorbent, water-erosion resistant depolarizing body and a cathode, said depolarizing bodies having the 'edges thereof freely exposed to the space surrounding said battery, and means for maintaining said elements oi said battery in pressure contact with each other.

Number Name Date 431,073 Parrish July 1, 1890 55 815,628 oppermsn Mar. 2o, 190s 1,467,240 Doe Sept. 4, 1923 1,488,908 DeOlaneta Apr. 1, 1924 1,601,457 Smith Sept. 28, 1926 1,696,873 Wood Dec. 25, 1928 60 2,050,173 Gordon Aug. 4, 193s 2,301,390 Forsythe Nov. 10, 1942 2,379,374 Payne June 26, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS y Number Country Date 152.230 Germany June 14. 1904 2. A multiple cell deferred action battery adapted for immersion in a body of activating liquid. comprising a plurality of flat elements in juxtaposed relation and pressure contact with one another, the elements of each cell comprising in succession an anode, a layer of bibulous non-conductive material, a rigid, liquid-absorbent watererosion resistant depolarizing body and a cathode, said depolarizing bodies having the edges thereof freely exposed to the space surrounding said. battery.

IVAN C. BLAKE. LAWRENCE H. HARRISS. JOHN B. MULLEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

